News - Soap Buzz

Dame Maggie Smith, who plays the Dowager Countess, one of the central figures in the hit Masterpiece Classic soap opera and worldwide hit, Downton Abbey is said to be exiting the series after season three is completed.

Rumors and reports have been swirling for a few months, but according to the Huffingtonpost.com today, “The Daily Mail reported that Smith told “Downton” writer Julian Fellowes that she wants the third season to be her last. Although, the paper reports that he has persuaded her to do the Christmas special following the third season.

The Daily Mail’s source claims that Smith has asked to be written out of the show, saying that the veteran actress would like to go out on a high note after three seasons. “‘She is filming until August and then wants to leave. She thinks that three series is enough, and she wants to get back to the stage and big screen.”

For some Downton Abbey fans, this news may sound troubling, especially after “Masterpiece Theater” executive producer Rebecca Eaton revealed that in season three, somebody will die and that it will be somebody pretty key in the cast, who is unfortunately not going to make it.”

Downton Abbey season three is currently in production in the UK, where Shirley MacLaine is guest starring as Lady Crawley’s mother and is expected to go head to head with Smith’s Dowager Countess in the newly filmed episodes!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She’s one of my faves. Maybe they can persuade her to make cameo appearances. I can understand she doesn’t want to be tied to a TV show, but hopefully she will come back here and there.

I guess in England the TV shows generally don’t go on for as many seasons as in America and maybe when she signed she only signed on for three seasons. I hope others don’t defect. Surely they have time when they aren’t filming for other work.

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